BioWare, you wanted commentary on how to fix this, start with the FALSE ADVERTISING!

JohnnyG

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:27 PM

JohnnyG

Members

342 posts

Dear Dr. Ray Muzyka,

Per your request, I am providing constructive criticism for BioWare regarding Mass Effect 3. In my mind, the biggest issue is the breaking of trust between your company and its consumers (which is manifested in many ways, the ending merely being the most poignant).

Below are quotes that were made by BioWare before the game was released. As such, they represent a spoken/written promise by you to your customers regarding Mass Effect 3. Artistic choices are wonderful and should be allowed, except when you are producing commissioned art where you promised it would contain certain things.

If a painter has agreed to paint a wilderness scene for me, and I have paid them based on that promise, are you saying they have the right to give me a painting of a cityscape instead, and that I simply have to accept it because their "artistic integrity" is at stake? I didn't think so. So while your argument for artistic choices is understandable, unfortunately the moment you began making promises to your consumers you became bound to them.

So here are some of the promises that BioWare made, and that many feel you need to correct in order to fix this problem. I was contemplating going through and making certain sections bold, but then I realized that I would need to do that for nearly every part of every quote. Instead, I will just let them stand and hope you guys do the right thing.

We want to believe in you again, BioWare. Please do the right thing and don't let us down.

--

For readers of the thread, not Bioware: Here is the definition of advertising from dictionary.com since a few trolls have claimed the quotes are not really advertising...

[ad-ver-tahy-zing] nounthe act or practice of calling public attention to one's product, service, need, etc., especially by paid announcements in newspapers and magazines, over radio or television, on billboards, etc.: to get more customers by advertising.

Even if they didn't pay to have their quotes published, they still are defined as advertising by the first part of the definition. So no matter what, it is still false advertising.

“Experience the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any other, where the decisions you make completely shape your experience and outcome.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)http://popwatch.ew.c...-3-mac-walters/

“[The presence of the Rachni] has huge consequences in Mass Effect 3. Even just in the final battle with the Reapers.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)http://business.fina...-all-audiences/

“I’m always leery of saying there are 'optimal' endings, because I think one of the things we do try to do is make different endings that are optimal for different people”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.computera...missing-in-me2/

“And, to be honest, you [the fans] are crafting your Mass Effect story as much as we are anyway.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.360magazi...ferent-endings/

“There are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any more than that…”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.eurogamer...me-people-angry

“Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens."

Whether you're happy or angry at the ending, know this: it is an ending. BioWare will not do a "Lost" and leave fans with more questions than answers after finishing the game, Gamble promised.

“You'll get answers to everything. That was one of the key things. Regardless of how we did everything, we had to say, yes, we're going to provide some answers to these people.”

“Because a lot of these plot threads are concluding and because it's being brought to a finale, since you were a part of architecting how they got to how they were, you will definitely sense how they close was because of the decisions you made and because of the decisions you didn't make”[/quote][quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)http://www.gameinfor...s-effect-3.aspx

“For people who are invested in these characters and the back-story of the universe and everything, all of these things come to a resolution in Mass Effect 3. And they are resolved in a way that's very different based on what you would do in those situations.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)http://venturebeat.c...fans-interview/

“Fans want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some closure, a great ending. I think they’re going to get that.”

“Mass Effect 3 is all about answering all the biggest questions in the lore, learning about the mysteries and the Protheans and the Reapers, being able to decide for yourself how all of these things come to an end.”

Interviewer: “So are you guys the creators or the stewards of the franchise?”

Hudson: “Um… You know, at this point, I think we’re co-creators with the fans. We use a lot of feedback.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)http://www.gameinfor...PostPageIndex=2

Interviewer: [Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] “Is that same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?”

Hudson: “Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a lot more sophistication and variety in them.”

Mass Effect 3 will shake up the player's moral choices more than ever before, even going so far as allowing the Reapers to win the battle for Earth, according to BioWare's community representative Mike Gamble.[/quote][quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.nowgamer....ry_details.html

"Of course you don’t have to play multiplayer, you can choose to play all the side-quests in single-player and do all that stuff you’ll still get all the same endings and same information, it’s just a totally different way of playing"[/quote][quote]Casey Hudson (Director)http://gamescatalyst...active-stories/

“The whole idea of Mass Effect3 is resolving all of the biggest questions, about the Protheons and the Reapers, and being in the driver's seat to end the galaxy and all of these big plot lines, to decide what civilizations are going to live or die: All of these things are answered in Mass Effect 3.”[/quote][quote]Casey Hudson (Director)http://www.computera...ly-good/?page=2

“There is a huge set of consequences that start stacking up as you approach the end-game. And even in terms of the ending itself, it continues to break down to some very large decisions. So it's not like a classic game ending where everything is linear and you make a choice between a few things - it really does layer in many, many different choices, up to the final moments, where it's going to be different for everyone who plays it.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)Issue 108 of 360Gamer (Hardcopy only, not available online)

When asked about the science of the game being plausible

"From very early on we wanted the science of the universe to be plausible. Obviously it's set in the future so you have to make some leaps of faith but we didn't want it to be just magic in space."[/quote]

Edit: Just wanted to point out that I got these great quotes from another post that was done several days ago. They just came back to mind after reading Ray's blog.

Edit 2: Per feedback from origamicyclone, I added the line about "Lost" to the EuroGamer quote.

Edit 3: Per feedback from IhateEA-Mask, I added the last quote regarding space magic. I also added the definition of advertising since a few people have trolled about it.

Blarghonk

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:32 PM

Blarghonk

Members

170 posts

Exactly what they should address, and exactly what my problem with the game is. Sure I have wishes about the LI and Squadmates, but the promises they made for my money need to be held. That is all we are asking.

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:49 PM

Baihu1983

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:50 PM

Blarghonk

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:50 PM

Blarghonk

Members

170 posts

JohnnyG wrote...

Thanks guys. I just hope this doesn't get buried into oblivion.

If you're refering to your post, then I hope so too. I hope they can't ignore this post. I hope it sticks out like a sore thumb. I know these quotes have been posted in the same sense, but I hope they look at it and think "Wow we did say that didn't we"

EvilChani

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:50 PM

Xenbus

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:50 PM

Xenbus

Members

216 posts

The odds of them even comeing close to this now, are next to nil.

They didn't care that dragon age 2 was rehashed areas all over. They didn't care how buggy SWTOR was when it launched, and how some classes were barred from doing end game instances, if they picked decision in there story lines and it took WEEKS to fix them.

They didn't care the journal doesn't function right, quests markers they bothered putting in this time don't even work.

Loading screens are broken, the Galaxy at war system didn't work for a large % of Xbox players.

They released a bad product, and they can get away with it so they continue to do so, because PR spin can cover up so many flaws.

Suntr0

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:52 PM

dotupkid

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:53 PM

dotupkid

Members

40 posts

Great job compiling all these in one place. As I've said before, I love Bioware. However, this entire ordeal is extremely disappointing, especially when you can see how many expectations/promises were built up only to fail. Bioware has it in them to do what is right and give us proper content.

Udalango

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:53 PM

Elite Midget

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:53 PM

Elite Midget

Members

4,193 posts

Blarghonk wrote...

Exactly what they should address, and exactly what my problem with the game is. Sure I have wishes about the LI and Squadmates, but the promises they made for my money need to be held. That is all we are asking.

I'm not sure they know what to say or do to fix up all those broken promises. Thus they try and pretend they don't exist and hope the fans forget.

plardman

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:54 PM

plardman

Members

87 posts

This is my favorite:
Hudson: “Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a lot more sophistication and variety in them.”

Valo_Soren

Posted 21 March 2012 - 08:54 PM

Valo_Soren

Members

769 posts

[quote]JohnnyG wrote...

Dear Dr. Ray Muzyka,

Per your request, I am providing constructive criticism for BioWare regarding Mass Effect 3. In my mind, the biggest issue is the breaking of trust between your company and its consumers (which is manifested in many ways, the ending merely being the most poignant).

Below are quotes that were made by BioWare before the game was released. As such, they represent a spoken/written promise by you to your customers regarding Mass Effect 3. Artistic choices are wonderful and should be allowed, except when you are producing commissioned art where you promised it would contain certain things.

If a painter has agreed to paint a wilderness scene for me, and I have paid them based on that promise, are you saying they have the right to give me a painting of a cityscape instead, and that I simply have to accept it because their "artistic integrity" is at stake? I didn't think so. So while your argument for artistic choices is understandable, unfortunately the moment you began making promises to your consumers you became bound to them.

So here are some of the promises that BioWare made, and that many feel you need to correct in order to fix this problem. I was contemplating going through and making certain sections bold, but then I realized that I would need to do that for nearly every part of every quote. Instead, I will just let them stand and hope you guys do the right thing.

We want to believe in you again, BioWare. Please do the right thing and don't let us down.

“Experience the beginning, middle, and end of an emotional story unlike any other, where the decisions you make completely shape your experience and outcome.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)http://popwatch.ew.c...-3-mac-walters/

“[The presence of the Rachni] has huge consequences in Mass Effect 3. Even just in the final battle with the Reapers.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mac Walters (Lead Writer)http://business.fina...-all-audiences/

“I’m always leery of saying there are 'optimal' endings, because I think one of the things we do try to do is make different endings that are optimal for different people”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.computera...missing-in-me2/

“And, to be honest, you [the fans] are crafting your Mass Effect story as much as we are anyway.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.360magazi...ferent-endings/

“There are many different endings. We wouldn’t do it any other way. How could you go through all three campaigns playing as your Shepard and then be forced into a bespoke ending that everyone gets? But I can’t say any more than that…”[/quote][quote]Interview with Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.eurogamer...me-people-angry

“Every decision you've made will impact how things go. The player's also the architect of what happens."

“You'll get answers to everything. That was one of the key things. Regardless of how we did everything, we had to say, yes, we're going to provide some answers to these people.”

“Because a lot of these plot threads are concluding and because it's being brought to a finale, since you were a part of architecting how they got to how they were, you will definitely sense how they close was because of the decisions you made and because of the decisions you didn't make”[/quote][quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)http://www.gameinfor...s-effect-3.aspx

“For people who are invested in these characters and the back-story of the universe and everything, all of these things come to a resolution in Mass Effect 3. And they are resolved in a way that's very different based on what you would do in those situations.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)http://venturebeat.c...fans-interview/

“Fans want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some closure, a great ending. I think they’re going to get that.”

“Mass Effect 3 is all about answering all the biggest questions in the lore, learning about the mysteries and the Protheans and the Reapers, being able to decide for yourself how all of these things come to an end.”

Interviewer: “So are you guys the creators or the stewards of the franchise?”

Hudson: “Um… You know, at this point, I think we’re co-creators with the fans. We use a lot of feedback.”[/quote][quote]Interview with Casey Hudson (Director)http://www.gameinfor...PostPageIndex=2

Interviewer: [Regarding the numerous possible endings of Mass Effect 2] “Is that same type of complexity built into the ending of Mass Effect 3?”

Hudson: “Yeah, and I’d say much more so, because we have the ability to build the endings out in a way that we don’t have to worry about eventually tying them back together somewhere. This story arc is coming to an end with this game. That means the endings can be a lot more different. At this point we’re taking into account so many decisions that you’ve made as a player and reflecting a lot of that stuff. It’s not even in any way like the traditional game endings, where you can say how many endings there are or whether you got ending A, B, or C.....The endings have a lot more sophistication and variety in them.”

Mass Effect 3 will shake up the player's moral choices more than ever before, even going so far as allowing the Reapers to win the battle for Earth, according to BioWare's community representative Mike Gamble.[/quote][quote]Mike Gamble (Associate Producer)http://www.nowgamer....ry_details.html

"Of course you don’t have to play multiplayer, you can choose to play all the side-quests in single-player and do all that stuff you’ll still get all the same endings and same information, it’s just a totally different way of playing"[/quote][quote]Casey Hudson (Director)http://gamescatalyst...active-stories/

“The whole idea of Mass Effect3 is resolving all of the biggest questions, about the Protheons and the Reapers, and being in the driver's seat to end the galaxy and all of these big plot lines, to decide what civilizations are going to live or die: All of these things are answered in Mass Effect 3.”[/quote][quote]Casey Hudson (Director)http://www.computera...ly-good/?page=2

“There is a huge set of consequences that start stacking up as you approach the end-game. And even in terms of the ending itself, it continues to break down to some very large decisions. So it's not like a classic game ending where everything is linear and you make a choice between a few things - it really does layer in many, many different choices, up to the final moments, where it's going to be different for everyone who plays it.”[/quote]

[/quote]

I wouldn't get your hopes up. They are compromising and everyone wins, I highly doubt they are going to apologize directly for every single detail. Quit while you're ahead.